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National Day Parade 2016 expected to cost S$39.4m: Ng Eng Hen

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National Day Parade 2016 expected to cost S$39.4m: Ng Eng Hen

About 275,000 Singaporeans are expected to be able to view the National Education shows, preview shows and actual NDP 2016 in person, due to the larger seating capacity at the National Stadium, says the Defence Minister.

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SINGAPORE: The estimated cost for this year's National Day Parade at the Sports Hub is expected to reach S$39.4 million, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in Parliament on Monday (Feb 29).

By comparison, the cost of holding previous National Day Parades at the Marina Bay Floating Platform has ranged from S$15.7 million to S$17.9 million, Dr Ng said in response to questions by MPs Sylvia Lim and Vikram Nair.

The NDP 2010 show at Padang cost S$20.6 million, about half of the 2015 Jubilee year Parade, which cost S$40.5 million, he said.

He noted that an itemised breakdown for the show is not feasible, as different sites have different cost considerations. For instance, the cost of the show segment for all three sites are similar, or half of the total costs.

However, infrastructure costs would differ for the three sites. Hosting the Parade at the Padang, for example, incurs a heavier cost - about 22 per cent of total costs - because there is a need to build the spectator stands from scratch. In comparison, the seating infrastructure is already present at Marina Bay Floating Platform and the National Stadium, Dr Ng said.

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Venue costs, too, differ. The Marina and Padang sites incur about 4 per cent of total costs given that they are public sites, said the Defence Minister. This year's National Day will see venue costs account for 15 per cent of the total cost - "similar to other national events held at private venues", he said.

He added that some of the other differences in this year's show would be the absence of the Red Lions parachuting into the site given the "obvious safety reasons". The mobile column will also not be included, as they cannot be seen by spectators, he added.

About 275,000 Singaporeans are expected to be able to view the National Education shows, preview shows and actual NDP 2016 in person, due to the larger seating capacity at the National Stadium, said the Defence Minister.

The National Stadium has a seating capacity of 55,000, meaning it can host double the number of Singapore parade spectators. The Padang and the Marina Bay Floating Platform each have capacities of about 25,000, Dr Ng added.

"The Executive Committee is aware that after the Golden Jubilee NDP and SG50 celebrations, expectations of this year’s show, NDP 2016, are high and I think that they have resigned themselves to the fact that comparisons will be inevitable," the minister said.

"However, I believe that ultimately the NDP is a show with Singaporeans, for Singaporeans, and by Singaporeans. The committee will do their best to live up to expectations, but I ask that Singaporeans support the committee so that they can put up a really good NDP this year for all of us to celebrate together."

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